National Crime Stoppers Month

January is recognized as National Crime Stoppers month by crime solvers or crime stopper programs in the United States.

Louisa County began the crime solvers program in 1986 to assist and support local law enforcement.

Louisa County Crime Solvers was patterned after other highly successful programs throughout the country.

The program has 16 members and is supported by the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office, Town of Louisa Police Department, Virginia State Police and Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

According to Jim Kogle, former Louisa County Crime Solvers president, the goal is to support local law enforcement agencies and to encourage citizens to help solve crimes.

The program was founded on the basic principal that someone other than the criminal has information about the crime. Law enforcement can run into problems with obtaining information from witnesses who are reluctant to get involved.

Crime solvers offers a way for a person to provide valuable information about a crime while remaining anonymous.

Kogle commended local law enforcement agencies for their cooperation and respect for one another.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Kogle said. “The sheriff’s, the troopers, police and game wardens are like one big family working together.”

Last year, Louisa County Crime Solvers received five tips and awarded $1,405 in rewards.

The tips received lead to identifying suspects in a school burglary and apprehension of several of Louisa’s most wanted.

Louisa County Crime Solvers does more than assist local law enforcement, they also assist the community.

Each year, Crime Solvers awards the Sheriff Henry A. Kennon Memorial Scholarship to Louisa County High School students who will be entering a study related to law enforcement.

The program also supports the Virginia State Police Junior Law Cadet Program, the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office Child Safety Program and the American Legion Post 116 Boy’s State, an educational program for high school students.

Hal Schaffer, newly sworn in crime solvers president, said he has hopes of continued improvement in service to local law enforcement and for crime solvers to award more rewards in 2013.

Louisa County Crime Solvers offers rewards for information leading to the arrest and indictment of criminals. You do not have to give your name or testify in court.

If you have any information about any crime, contact the Louisa County Crime Solvers at 1-800-346-1466.